Michelle Nunn GA U.S. Senate Announcement Coming Soon

By Kyle Trygstad, Roll Call – After appearing at a weekend fundraiser for Senate Democrats, party leaders expect Michelle Nunn to make a final decision on the Georgia Senate race within weeks.

“The national party is working with Michelle, and I think we will probably have an announcement relatively soon on whether she’s in or not,” Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Berlon said Monday. “We just want to get somebody out there early enough before the election that we can actually get behind them and start putting a structure together.”

The philanthropist and daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., appeared at a Sunday fundraiser in Atlanta for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. President Barack Obama was the featured guest at the event, with DSCC Chairman Michael Bennet and Executive Director Guy Cecil also in attendance.

A DSCC spokesman declined to comment on whether Nunn was preparing to announce a bid.

Democrats have few offensive opportunities in 2014. Meanwhile, Republicans could win the majority by winning only seats in states the president failed to carry in 2012. Picking up even just one GOP-held seat — such as the one in Georgia — could prove crucial for Democrats.

Before introducing the president to the crowd on Sunday, Bennet said, “Georgia provides us with the greatest opportunity for a pickup.”

Earlier this month, Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., announced he would seek re-election rather than vie for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss. Party officials continued their recruitment efforts with Nunn, who has never run for public office.

Meanwhile, Republicans have the opposite problem: Several GOP candidates are running for Senate in Georgia. Last week, former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel became the fourth candidate to enter the GOP primary field.

Handel joined Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston, while other Republicans are eyeing the race as well.